If someone told us at the beginning of 2020 that the upcoming year was going to change our lives drastically, we would have told them that they were being paranoid. However, it was already in January that the information from China about this new extremely contagious virus made people anxious. What followed is now seen by many as a historical moment. The response to the Coronavirus pandemic has been unlike anything many of us have ever seen.
After the virus has been taking its toll for months and reached its peak in April, the lockdown is finally loosening. In many parts of the world, people are now walking the streets again, some still practicing social distancing and wearing protective masks, while others believe that the worst is over. Still, this hasn’t stopped the numbers from rising, and one thing that we can tell for certain is that our lives aren’t going to be the same.
So, what is the rest of 2020 going to look like for us?
Our Homes might Become our new Offices
For a lot of people, the quarantine made it impossible to work outside their homes. While many couldn’t wait for the lockdown to end so that they can go back to work and see all of their colleagues again, it’s not the same for everyone. In fact, a lot of people have gotten used to and have put a lot of effort into making their own home an office space.
What this means is that it has become a trend to no longer simply work at the same place where you live (such as the living room), but to dedicate an entire room to creating a fully functional workspace where it is possible to move away from daily life and shift straight into “work mode”.
As a result, companies whose businesses thrive online might surpass those with physical workspaces. The latter will have to put in a lot more effort to bring us back.
Driving might Become a Necessity More than Ever
In the midst of the pandemic, it has become essential for many people to be able to drive from point A to point B in order to be able to finish everything that needs to be done for the day. This especially counts for the countries that were or still are under lockdown. If you’ve got a limited amount of time to get the necessary work done, do the essential shopping, and visit the people that need your help, being able to drive is vital.
However, if you haven’t got a license yet, you need to take driving lessons. This is a matter that countries have been dealing with differently. For example, in WA, people are advised to consider whether taking up lessons is necessary. But, if you are a new driver that needs to practice in order to be able to do all the things that we’ve discussed above, you are actually encouraged to do so with a supervisor from your own household. The rules are that they have to have a license that is at least four years old and that the lessons take place in the region you reside in.
Restaurants and Shops aren’t Going to be the Same Anymore
In many countries, shops and restaurants haven’t started working until just recently in June. However, the way that they function isn’t like it used to be before yet. Shop signs still warn us about the dangers of Coronavirus, insisting on social distancing and/or protective equipment. Many restaurants have installed glass partitions so that people can separate from larger groups. Most supermarkets are still filled with queues, workers wearing masks and gloves, and designated spots where you need to stand in order to purchase what you need.
Even when the pandemic settles, some of these routines are likely to stay. While we may drop the protective equipment and feel safer, the events of these past few months will remain in our heads for a while. Still, this is debatably a good thing because it may actually lead to a lot of people starting to take viruses more seriously. Even if we aren’t dealing with a worldwide pandemic, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t stay home when we are sick and do our best to protect others.
Final Words
In general, we might see a change in social norms that we’ve been used to. While many will go back to shaking hands and hugging with people on a regular basis, others might choose to keep up with some of the rules of social distancing. After all, one of the main aspects of the Coronavirus pandemic that has affected us is fear. And fear tends to change a lot in the ways we behave on a daily basis.
Sill, on a positive note, this stressful period has pushed a lot of people toward thinking about the “greater good”. So, in the end, we might see the concepts of fundraising, volunteering, and generally helping out those in need, something that will become a lot more common for society.
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